In 1861, they were living in Austin Street, Ipswich and Thomas was working as a beer-house keeper. Their three young sons were with them, and the civil registration indexes have confirmed their names and dates of birth. The census also shows that Rachel came from Hengrave in Herefordshire.

In 1871, they were still living in Austin Sreet and two more sons had been born. Thomas was still working as a beer-house keeper, but no information was given about the profession of his eldest son, another Thomas. Their second son, Henry, was lodging at Belstead Road, Ipswich and working as a grocer.

Thomas Laughlin, aged 48, was buried in Ipswich on 24th May 1871, leaving his widow Rachel to carry on the business and bring up the family.

In 1881, Rachel Laughlin, a widow, was living in Tanner Street and working as a beer-house keeper. In the same household were her two youngest sons, Edgar and William, and a lodger George Terrey. Edgar (aged 18) was working as a stableman and William (aged 13) was assistant to a pork butcher.

By this time, her eldest son Thomas (aged 29) had married Flora Susannah Collins and was living in Helen Street Ipswich with Flora’s parents. Thomas was working as a warehouseman. Henry’s location is unknown and Jonathan had moved London and married Maria. Henry may have been married in 1888.

In 1891, Rachel Loughlin was beer-house keeper of the "Fox and Hounds" in Tanners Street, Ipswich. With her were her son William (now working as a "coach painter") and the lodger George Terry. Her son Edgar was working as a coachman and lodging in Hove.

William James Laughlin, aged 24, was buried in Ipswich on 15th January 1892, Thomas Laughlin, aged 49, was buried there on 12th January 1899 and Rachel Laughlin, aged 76, was buried there on 14th May 1900.

Sources for this section.

Civil Registration Indexes available online from FreeBMD
Civil Registration Indexes, National Burial Index and Census Data available online from Findmypast

Page maintained by Susan Laflin. Last updated in January 2008.